Celtic Football Club

Celtic Football Club was formed in 1888 in Glasgow, Scotland – specifically to raise funds to provide meals for the impoverished children living in the East end of the city. From this charitable beginning, the club quickly galvanized the hopes and aspirations of many poor and disparate minority communities in the city, rapidly becoming successful both on and off the field of play.

The Celtic FC team and officials in 1890.

Today, Celtic are one of the world’s most famous football clubs and have supporters in every country in the world. The fanbase includes many celebrities such as Rod Stewart, James McAvoy, Bono, Dario Franchitti and Gerard Butler, but Celtic are a club that more than anything else, celebrates family, diversity, inclusion and charity which is reflected in their Social Mission Statement.

Celtic FC created the Celtic FC Foundation to uphold and promote the charitable principles and heritage of Celtic Football Club. In doing so, Celtic FC Foundation delivers change and purpose to the Celtic Family and beyond. We are delighted to have the support of the Celtic FC Foundation by including them as one of our named beneficiaries.

Celtic FC in July 2015, players celebrating a goal against Qarabag from Azerbaijan in a European Champions League game.

After he was diagnosed with ALS, his family arranged for Tony to attend Celtic Park on three separate occasions so that he could meet some of his heroes. In January 2013, accompanied by his parents and his brother Martin, Tony was honoured as he walked onto the field at Celtic Park at half time during a Celtic game.

Tony, Martin, Pauline and John in the centre circle at Celtic Park during their 2013 trip to see Celtic. The fifth person is the lucky winner of the halftime draw.

Tony was also pictured at the statue to the Celtic fans greatest player, Jimmy Johnstone. Jimmy also had ALS and died in 2006.

Tony at the Jimmy Johnstone statue outside Celtic Park in 2013.

The Conway family name has been associated with Celtic Football Club since the very beginning. Dr John Conway was instrumental in founding of the club in November 1887, and was their first Honorary President of the club for three years. He kicked the first ball- ever – for Celtic at their inaugural game in 1888. Tony was proud of sharing the same last name as Celtic’s co-founder.

The original 1887-88 Patron’s Ticket for Dr (Mr) John Conway, the first Honorary President of Celtic Football Club.

Dr. Conway graduated in medicine from Glasgow University, practiced for a year in London and became a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons, however, he returned to Glasgow to work with the poor in the East End of the city. He was a staunch advocate of the club’s charitable foundations.

The Celtic FC team and officials pictured in 1888. Dr John Conway is on the left of the back row, sporting a beard and wearing a suit.